Rural Sociologist - Volunteer Position - Onsite in Jamaica - 12 months
Peace Corps
United States
Posted on Jul 2, 2025
About The Job
Projected Departure
June 1, 2026
Duration
12 months
ELIGIBILITY: Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be a U.S. citizen.
Project description
The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) in Jamaica has requested the support of Peace Corps Response Volunteers (PCRVs) to serve as Rural Sociologists. Parish-level Extension Officers from the RADA are stretched to be able to adequately work with communities to build the organizational capacity and technical skills of community organizations focused on agriculture, especially amidst the growing impacts of climate change. The aim of this Response assignment is to support parish-level extension capacity for the RADA in rural sociology.
The PCRVs will discover, design and adapt training materials aligned to strengthen capacity of colleagues and farmers. The Rural Sociologists will visit a sampling of farmer groups and hold focus group discussions on areas of opportunity and need as understood by the groups, create and submit an initial findings report to their supervisor, do technical extension work, and with RADA staff colleagues, meet with relevant local, parish and national government, public and private sector entities to examine ways to collaborate and leverage partnerships for effective service provision. The overall goal of this assignment is to provide training of trainers and other training materials for the assigned parishes.
Please note that departure dates and other details of this project could change as a result of partner needs or other external factors. Candidates selected for this position will be arriving in Jamaica together as a group, so while the departure dates for the whole group could change, dates cannot be changed for individual candidates.
Required Skills
Master’s Degree or equivalent in Sociology with a focus on Agriculture, Environment, Development, Business or a related field
2 years of experience in helping rural families and/or organizations that work with rural families to develop the capabilities, assets, and activities required for families to earn a living from agricultural production and services
2 years’ experience in helping rural families and/or organizations that work with rural families to achieve a livelihood that can strengthen their ability to cope with and recover from societal, marketplace and environmental stresses and shocks
2 years of international development experience in either national level or community-based
Experience in assessment and report writing; training and facilitation
Working knowledge of qualitative research methodologies,
4 years’ experience in improved management practices and technologies to conserve, store, and/or transform agricultural products to add value.
Projected Departure
June 1, 2026
Duration
12 months
ELIGIBILITY: Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be a U.S. citizen.
Project description
The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) in Jamaica has requested the support of Peace Corps Response Volunteers (PCRVs) to serve as Rural Sociologists. Parish-level Extension Officers from the RADA are stretched to be able to adequately work with communities to build the organizational capacity and technical skills of community organizations focused on agriculture, especially amidst the growing impacts of climate change. The aim of this Response assignment is to support parish-level extension capacity for the RADA in rural sociology.
The PCRVs will discover, design and adapt training materials aligned to strengthen capacity of colleagues and farmers. The Rural Sociologists will visit a sampling of farmer groups and hold focus group discussions on areas of opportunity and need as understood by the groups, create and submit an initial findings report to their supervisor, do technical extension work, and with RADA staff colleagues, meet with relevant local, parish and national government, public and private sector entities to examine ways to collaborate and leverage partnerships for effective service provision. The overall goal of this assignment is to provide training of trainers and other training materials for the assigned parishes.
Please note that departure dates and other details of this project could change as a result of partner needs or other external factors. Candidates selected for this position will be arriving in Jamaica together as a group, so while the departure dates for the whole group could change, dates cannot be changed for individual candidates.
Required Skills
Master’s Degree or equivalent in Sociology with a focus on Agriculture, Environment, Development, Business or a related field
2 years of experience in helping rural families and/or organizations that work with rural families to develop the capabilities, assets, and activities required for families to earn a living from agricultural production and services
2 years’ experience in helping rural families and/or organizations that work with rural families to achieve a livelihood that can strengthen their ability to cope with and recover from societal, marketplace and environmental stresses and shocks
2 years of international development experience in either national level or community-based
Experience in assessment and report writing; training and facilitation
Working knowledge of qualitative research methodologies,
4 years’ experience in improved management practices and technologies to conserve, store, and/or transform agricultural products to add value.